Bringing a New Puppy Home? Don’t Make These 3 Mistakes.

Cute, huh? Just make sure you train your new pet with consistency. By: stop-play

You just walked out of the animal shelter carrying a soft puffball that’s going to grow into a 60-pound dog in just 1 year.

You’ve got a list a mile long for your first pet store shopping trip. And while that 10- or 15-year commitment is playfully gnawing on your fingertips, you’re making mental notes on how to start puppy training on the right foot.

No doubt about it — raising a puppy can be complicated. You get only one shot, and you want to do it right. For starters, how about some common mistakes to avoid?

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3 Mistakes to Avoid With Your New Puppy

1. Inconsistent Training

From consistent commands to expectations that don’t change with time, training relies on stability. It’s your job to decide at the beginning what commands you will use, what rules you’re going to enforce and how to go about doing that.

A new puppy is already going to be drawn to every distraction around her. Don’t add to her confusion by being vague with your command training. She’s not going to understand what you want if you use multiple phrases for the same command. Choose just 1 — for example:

Are you sure you want to let your puppy on the couch? He may never learn not to jump up there. By: billselak

You and I can see the difference 1 year makes — from Buttons adorably occupying a tiny spot on a couch cushion to awkwardly sprawling across all 3. But, according to trainer/behaviorist Beth Jeffery, it’s “not fair to your dog to change the rules at different times and expect him to adapt just as easily as humans do.”

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2. Socializing a Puppy Too Soon

“What? But I thought I was supposed to socialize them at an early age.”

That’s right. Socializing your new puppy while she’s young is going to help her deal with new situations calmly as she grows older. She’ll be more accustomed to meeting strangers and other dogs while out on walks. But socializing a puppy with other dogs too early may actually be hazardous to her health.

Puppies go through a series of vaccinations that may not be complete until they reach 4 or 5 months of age. Before that series of inoculations has been finished, your puppy is more susceptible to the diseases that adult dogs rarely have to worry about.

Another way we treat our pets like people is by dressing them in clothes. Except for functional clothing, such as boots and jackets — and, OK, the occasional quick snapshot for a good cause — outfits are unnecessary and can be uncomfortable for dogs.

Sure, Buttons is a member of your family — but he’s not a human. Your safest route for keeping him as healthy and happy as possible is to always remember that.

Taking Steps to Raise the Best Dog

There’s no denying the overwhelming experience of getting a new puppy. Excitement, joy and hilarity take over your house as a 4-legged tumbleweed with boundless energy makes himself at home.

But the hard work that comes with that goofy new addition is important if you want to ensure that you’re raising the best dog possible.